25 Germiest Places in Your Home (and How to Clean Them)

Germs are everywhere, but these spots in your home are extra ick!

Sheryl Jean,

AARP

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Published February 18, 2025

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A home may look sparkling clean, but it’s often teeming with microscopic germs you can’t see. These pathogens can spread illnesses that are dangerous for older adults, who often struggle with health issues that can make their immune systems weaker and put them at higher risk of infection.

And while there’s no way to get rid of all germs (and you wouldn’t want to because many help us), says Ernesto Abel-Santos, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, you want to eliminate those that can be harmful.

How you get rid of them can vary depending on where they’re located. We talked to experts who identified the 25 germiest places in your home and how to clean them to get rid of unwanted viruses and bacteria.

1. Kitchen sponge

Bacteria thrive where there’s water and food, which makes a sponge one of the worst germ culprits, says Don Schaffner, a microbiologist and chair of the department of food science at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found that the best defense against bacteria lingering in a sponge is to let it dry between uses or run it through the dishwasher (experts say the sanitizing cycle is best). Schaffner also suggests placing the sponge in a bowl of water in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

In general, replace your sponge when it starts to become discolored or looks worn, Schaffner says. The most important thing is to regularly clean and disinfect it, he adds.

2. Cutting board

Raw meat and vegetables can carry E. coli, salmonella and listeria. Abel-Santos suggests using separate cutting boards — one for raw meat and one for everything else. Avoid wood cutting boards because indentations made in the wood by knives are hard to clean and disinfect, he says. Scrub cutting boards after each use with soap and hot water. After cutting meat, Abel-Santos suggests disinfecting them with diluted bleach (one part bleach to nine parts water) or washing plastic boards in the dishwasher.

3. Around the drain

These are “notorious places” for germs because they often stay moist, and bacteria feed off skin cells in the bathtub or bathroom sink and food particles in the kitchen sink, Schaffner says. In addition, a slimy, reddish biofilm can form on drains when bacteria attach to a surface, becoming more resilient, he explains. Scrub around the drain with a brush and a diluted bleach solution to remove biofilm.

4. Spice jars

As you sprinkle spices on your food, you might also transfer — or pick up — bacteria on your hands as you handle jars of cumin, paprika or chili powder. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Food Protection found people often spread bacteria to spice jars they use as they cook. The researchers asked people to prepare a meal of turkey patties and a salad. Afterward, the researchers detected bacteria from the turkey on 48 percent of the spice containers. To prevent cross-contamination, wash your hands before cooking and after handling raw meat. Use a hot, soapy cloth or disinfectant wipes to clean spice jars.

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5. Refrigerator

Clean the inside regularly with hot, soapy water, especially the vegetable drawers because they hold raw produce, Abel-Santos advises. Spills drip downward, so clean trickles and accumulated substances inside the bottom of your fridge as well as along its bottom exterior edge.

If you think your refrigerator has been contaminated or it contained recalled food, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you clean the inside, then use a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of water to sanitize the interior.

6. Appliance handles

Don’t forget the refrigerator handle as well (and all appliance handles, such as on cabinets and drawers). If you’re cutting raw poultry or meat and then touch a handle, you may transfer germs, Abel-Santos says. Clean them with a hot, soapy cloth or disinfectant wipes.

Touching germ-covered surfaces is a significant way to spread colds, stomach flu and foodborne illnesses. The flu virus, for example, can last up to 48 hours on hard surfaces, according to the Hygiene Council, an international group of infectious-disease experts.

7. Doorknob

The same goes for doorknobs, which are perhaps one of the most-touched items in a home. But “it’s impractical to clean the doorknob every time someone touches it,” Abel-Santos says. “It’s better to wash your hands frequently to control the spread of infection.”

The CDC recommends humming the “Happy Birthday” song twice while scrubbing your hands to ensure you wash them long enough.

8. Countertops and table tops

Clean and disinfect any surface where food is prepared to remove foodborne bacteria that can cause illnesses. The risk is higher if you just made hamburgers on the kitchen counter compared with buttering toast, Schaffner says.

Places where raw food is prepared in the kitchen, moist areas, and household surfaces touched daily by many people, such as faucets and light switches, are hot spots for viruses and bacteria. The same goes for bathroom counters, which may pick up sprayed germs as you floss or rinse your toothbrush.

Kitchen and dining room tables also are breeding grounds for germs because people drop food on them, such as pieces of a ham sandwich, which can lead to a germier environment, Schaffner says. After eating, wipe tables with a damp sponge or towel with soap or an all-purpose cleaner. Use an easy-to-clean cloth or plastic table covering or placemats.

9. Microwave control pad

As with other high-touch appliances, bacteria can be transferred easily to the microwave control pad from something else you touched in the kitchen beforehand, Schaffner says. Keep the pad clean by wiping it regularly with a soft, damp cloth and mild dish soap. Dry the surface immediately. Avoid spraying cleaner directly on the panel, and don’t use abrasive cleaners or steel wool because they can cause damage. You should check the manufacturer’s instructions as to whether you can use disinfecting wipes, Schaffner says. But, he cautions, repeated use of disinfecting wipes on an electronic touchscreen can lead to degradation of the screen.

10. Faucet

These are household fixtures where pathogens can be transferred by your contaminated hands, Schaffner says. The moisture in a sink helps bacteria spread. If you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom, consider installing touchless faucets.

11. Whirlpool bathtub

“The piping system retains gunk and moisture to keep things alive in there, creating a biofilm — a sticky mass of bacteria like what you get on your teeth overnight,” says Rita B. Moyes, a retired microbiologist at Texas A&M University in College Station, who has studied the issue. “The problem is these microscopic bacteria become an aerosol when you run water through the jets that can get into your lungs.”

Jets are hard to clean, but you can use bleach wipes to reach into the jets and clean them as best as you can, Abel-Santos suggests. You also can buy special sanitizing cleaners for jetted tubs and whirlpools.

12. Towels

Towels that sit in a dark, moist bathroom are traps for bacteria and other germs transferred from your body. But if your towel is able to dry completely , you may need to wash it only once or twice a week, says “laundry evangelist” Patric Richardson, who operates a store that sells laundry products in the Mall of America in Minnesota and wrote the book Laundry Love. If your towel doesn't usually get completely dry, then replace it at least twice a week, Richardson says.

When you dry off with a towel, body fluids and microscopic fecal particles make their way into the fabric, and you risk being exposed to infectious diseases like pink eye, norovirus and E. coli upon reuse, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Bottom line: If your towel smells, wash it, says Schaffner, adding that the smell is most likely from bacteria.

13. Bed linens

Similar concerns exist for bed linens, depending on how you sleep. If you sleep in pajamas, wash your bed sheets and pillowcases once every 10 to 14 days, but if you have oily hair or sleep in the buff, wash them once a week. Richardson says. And if you like to eat in bed and spill crumbs, you may need to wash your sheets even more often, he says.

If you sleep with a top sheet, you only need to wash a comforter or duvet cover once every six weeks, Richardson adds.

14. Carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs can hold germs and allergens that can make you ill. In addition to people dropping food crumbs on the floor, dirt and germs from outside get tracked onto indoor carpets and rugs by shoes and pets, Richardson says. He recommends vacuuming at least once a week and shampooing occasionally for a deeper clean. “I’m notorious for eating pretzels in the den while watching movies, so I probably vacuum every day,” Richardson says.

Consider buying washable rugs you can throw in the washing machine. Better yet, remove rugs and ragged carpeting all together because they are tripping and fall hazards for older adults.

15. Kitchen linens

“Kitchen linens can be super germy,” Richardson says. Say you’re preparing to cook raw chicken. You may wipe your hands on a kitchen towel and then cross-contaminate other items if that same towel is used to dry dishes coming out of the dishwasher, he says. Grab a fresh towel and put the soiled one in the washing machine with detergent and oxygen bleach, which contains hydrogen peroxide to disinfect.

An alternative is to use paper towels, but some consumers may not want to increase their waste.

16. Television remote

This is another item that many people touch often, including when they’re ill, and transfer germs. Abel-Santos recommends cleaning remotes with alcohol-based disinfectant wipes.

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17. Computer keyboard

Keyboards can get “pretty germy,” especially if you eat or are ill while you work, Schaffner says. You may see dirt and crumbs on your keyboard, but there also are invisible germs, he says.

Keep the keyboard clean by gently wiping it. First, Apple recommends unplugging the keyboard or removing the batteries. Next, clean the outside of your device with a damp cloth or alcohol wipes (70-75 percent), but be careful not to get moisture in any openings, which may void your product warranty or protection plan. Also, avoid using aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

The same goes for other keyboard brands and your computer mouse.

18. Cellphone

People tend to carry cellphones everywhere, including into the bathroom or on a packed subway car, and germs on these devices can easily transfer to your hands and face, experts say. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning your phone daily, but check your manufacturer’s guidance first, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

Apple and some Android makers offer similar recommendations:

First, unplug and power down your device, and remove the case.
Gently use a soft, lint-free cloth to remove smudges and fingerprints. A paper towel or more abrasive cloths may scratch the surface.
Don’t use spray cleaners or those with bleaches. Cleaning products and abrasive materials will diminish the oil-repellent coating on newer phones and may scratch the surface.
You can gently wipe your phone with a disinfectant like alcohol-based wipes (at least 70 percent), but be careful not to get moisture into any openings. Dry surfaces well.

19. Shower curtain

That pink slime — often called “pink mold” — on shower curtains is bacteria. Your hands can transfer that bacteria to other surfaces and cause health issues. Get rid of it. Whether it’s a fabric or plastic curtain, Richardson suggests tossing it into the washing machine with some oxygen bleach. Wash the shower curtain about once every three months or as needed, he adds

Squeegee the shower walls and close the shower curtain after use to help keep surfaces dry.

20. Laundry room

Warm and moist environments like laundry rooms are hot spots for bacteria and mold. If your laundry room is in the basement, run a fan to keep the air circulating, Richardson says. A dehumidifier is another option.

21. Toilet

People tend to clean bathrooms better because they think they’re germy, Schaffner says, but toilets need special attention if someone in the home is sick with vomiting or diarrhea.

Clean first to get rid of dirt and debris, and then apply a disinfectant or sanitizer by following the label directions to get rid of stubborn bacteria. If you have difficulty bending down, use a mop with a long handle, he says.

And research has shown that toilet fumes rise, Schaffner says, so flush with the lid down.

22. Waste basket

Whether it’s in the bathroom or kitchen, a waste bin can harbor germs from the items you discard. Tamp down germs by using a plastic liner and making sure the bin has a lid to isolate germs, Abel-Santos says. Clean the bin when it gets dirty by wiping it down with soap and water, he says.

But if the bin contained high-risk food, such as packaging for raw chicken, or the bag leaked, sanitize it with a disinfectant.

23. Toothbrush

The recommendation from Abel-Santos and Schaffner is to replace your toothbrush regularly at least every six months. If you have an electric toothbrush, occasionally take it apart to clean where the brush part attaches to the base, where biofilm can grow, Schaffner says. Don’t share toothbrushes and don’t store them near the toilet because flushing may cause spray containing microscopic bits of fecal matter.

24. Bar soap

Whether bacteria can form on bar soap you wash your hands and body with and transfer to other people has been hotly debated. In 2020, it was the subject of a Risky or Not? podcast that Schaffner cohosts. While bacteria can form on bar soap, Schaffner doesn’t think it’s risky because it washes away. An alternative is to use liquid soap dispensers; you can even install touchless dispensers.

25. Nightstand

Although most people sleep on one side of the bed and have their own nightstand, it can become germy if you eat in bed and leave food crumbs or drink spills on the nightstand, Abel-Santos says.

That’s especially true if you’ve been ill, say with a cold or the flu, and blow your nose and leave the tissue on the bedside table, he adds. Clean your nightstand regularly with a damp, soapy cloth, especially after you’ve been sick.

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Sheryl Jean is a contributing writer who covers aging, business, technology, travel, health and human-interest stories. A former reporter for several daily metropolitan newspapers, her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune and The Dallas Morning News and on the American Heart Association’s website.